I went into this unaware that it was a spinoff, but I don't think it mattered. I am sure there are some fun references for fans, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This is a great young adult graphic novel with relationships that people will enjoy. The art was beautiful and brought the story to life. At times it was predictable, but it didn't take away from how good the story is.

I think this story will appeal to a wide audience, as it has a little bit of everything! Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and DC Comics for the e-arc.


I have to admit, I am a late bloomer when it comes to the DC comic world. I've only recently got into comics for about three years now which is strange since my brothers are both great comic artists and they always had tons of them around when we were kids. That being said, I went in with a clean slate and an open mind.

LOST CARNIVAL is Dick Grayson's origin story or at least part of it. The events of this comic and subsequent volumes (I hope) are based before he lost his parents and became Robin alongside our favorite bat with the abs. We see him as an angsty teenager with a yearning for a life outside of the circus. He meets Luciana, a player in a nearby carnival that puts him in awe and suddenly he's thrust into a world of magic and love.

This comic is drawn in a monochromatic fashion, which to my surprise, I liked. I am more of a vibrant color person, but this book, along with the superb writing, drew me in like no other. I loved how the color tone changed with the mood. I swear some of those boards had me in near tears.

Overall, I loved it. I cannot wait for the next installment.

I loved the cover.

The inside was a bit of a let down.

The resolution to the plot was telegraphed far ahead, and I kept hoping that I hadn't figured it out, and there was going to be a bigger twist. I actually raced through all the "feelings" pages to see if I was right.

On the plus side, it was a neat look at Dick Grayson, pre-Batman, when he was hanging out with his parents, and being part of the Flying Graysons.

The characters were not super developed, but the scenery was nice. It just didn't work as well for me as I hoped.

Dick is very good at his flips, which is kind of cool.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Entertainment for providing me a digital ARC of "Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel" in exchange for an honest review.

What first attracted me to this graphic novel was the stunning cover. It is so lush and the Art Deco design sets the tone for the graphic novel. The artist style was really well thought out and the choice to switch between the cool tones and warm tones to differentiate between the two different carnival/circus was great. I loved the art style so much.

I had some trouble getting into the graphic novel in the beginning. I felt like I wasn't really connecting with Dick and the story line wasn't making much sense to me until about 25% of the way in. That's when things started to really pick up between Dick and the other characters in the novel. Once I got past the initial confusion of the beginning I became intrigued with mystery at hand and wanted to learn more.

Overall, I think this was a really good introductory story into Dick Grayson's life before he becomes Robin and I'm really intrigued to see where else these novels take him. I love a good origin story and ultimately this provided a really good origin story.

I received an advanced copy of The Lost Carnival from Netgalley so that I could share my review with you!

Life as a circus performer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Dick Grayson is desperate for some way to break up his routine and find who he really wants to be. Dick and his parents comprise the circus’s trapeze act, The Flying Graysons, but his “death defying stunts” feel more like the choreographed routine they are than anything exciting. As audiences dwindle, the troupe realizes that another performance has arrived in town, where magic just might be the reality. Dick is immediately drawn to their fantastical show, and cannot resist the sense of wonder infused in the atmosphere. He soon meets one of their performers who can use real magic, and is quickly captured by both her powers and her smile. All is not as it seems at The Lost Carnival, however, and a darkness lurks just beyond the surface.

You can get your copy of The Lost Carnival on May 5th from DC Comics!

Michael Moreci has captured Dick Grayson exactly how I would’ve imagined him in his life before becoming Batman’s first Robin! This story is focused on Dick’s younger life, before he got into crime fighting. The illustrations, by Sas Milledge and Phil Hester are crisp and communicative, really capturing the wonder and timelessness of a carnival experience. I loved every bit of this book, from story to presentation, and it’s easily one of my favorite DC Comics titles that I’ve gotten to review!

My Recommendation-
If you love the original dynamic duo of Batman and Robin, you will definitely want to check out The Lost Carnival! Even if you aren’t well-versed in Batman lore, this stand-alone graphic novel could be a great pick for your next read, especially if you enjoy tales of youthful rebellion and magical intrigue!

This one was an absolute winner for me

The art was stunning. The linework, coloring, choice of colors were great. I really appreciate when the artist subtly changes colors to add a different mood to parts of the story. It adds depth to the graphic novel.

The story itself was interesting and was paced well overall. There was a lot of good character development for the MCs, but the side characters were also developed enough to give them depth but not have them overtake the main story.

I really enjoyed the change of pace from Dick Grayson's usual dead parents storyline from the Batman comics. This also had an interesting supernatural element to it as well as some star crossed lovers. The romance between the two MCs moved fast but it's a YA book and they are young so it wasn't that much of a surprise.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and if you like Dick Grayson you'll probably like this one.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

The Lost Carnival is one of DC Entertainment’s best YA releases thus far. A brilliantly written story with rich art, in-depth stakes, and quite a diverse cast. I loved this teenage portrayal of Dick Grayson; being able to peek inside Haly’s circus and what it was like for Dick to be part of the Flying Graysons. I also immensely enjoyed the tensions and mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of the Lost Carnival and the secrets that unfolded along the way. The introduction of powerfully diverse ladies such as Willow and Luciana added so much to the story’s depth and made me fall in love with them on their own merit alone. I’d love a graphic novel focusing just on Willow and her powers.

All in all, this is an amazing re-imagining of Dick Grayson’s character. The character development is wonderful and real, the art is breathtakingly gorgeous, and the story is both satisfying and mystifying. Definitely a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this opportunity! I personally didn't know anything about this comic but it sounded interesting and I really enjoyed going on the adventure.

A delightful spin on Dick Grayson’s origin story.

I enjoyed this version of Grayson’s beginnings. It’s less dark than the original, and befits a young adult audience beginning to explore the Batman universe.

I loved the art, gorgeous color palette and evocative lines that befit the circus motif while towing the line between the darker side of the Graysons’ history and Dick’s “ordinary” teen problems...boredom, angst, and the idea of being someone other than exactly who your family wants and expects you to.

A teenage Dick Grayson is an unenthused member of the Flying Graysons. Wanting to branch out on his own, away from circus life, he and his best friend (Willow) take a drive to explore the Wyoming countryside and see if there are any people their own ages. After coming across the local party spot, they meet Luciana and Quinn, two members of the rival carnival that has set up stakes right next door. Dick is immediately smitten with Luciana and helps break up a fight when local boys try to attach Quinn and Luciana. Willow can tell Dick is smitten but warns him of how it might look. Dick goes to check out the neighboring carnival and thinks it's amazing. He is especially drawn to Luciana and her uncle when they practice their magic act. As a magician, Willow cautions this is not like any magic she's ever seen. When Willow is attacked and put into a magical coma, Dick takes it upon himself to find out whether this Lost Circus is really what it seems.

The art in The Lost Carnival is beautifully done, giving the graphic novel a definite feeling of an earlier time.  Dick Grayson is shown as wanting to get away from his parents, and its a bit of a gut shot when you remember he ends up an orphan shortly after this time period.  The story by Michael Moreci is charming, and the illustrations by Sas Milledge and Phil Hester. 

The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel is available now.

THE NIGHT CIRCUS meets ROMEO AND JULIET, in the YA DC ‘verse.

DC’s new line of YA and middle-grade graphic novels provide an excellent entry point into the publisher’s extensive catalog, and THE LOST CARNIVAL: A DICK GRAYSON GRAPHIC NOVELis no exception. I love comic books, but mostly stick to newer series/those based on other media I already love (think: PRETTY DEADLY / FIREFLY), since DC and Marvel’s decades-long history can be intimidating. (Where to start!?) Luckily, these are standalone stories that don’t require a whole lot of knowledge about the characters going in.

Here, Dick Grayson – the Robin to Bruce Wayne’s Batman – is a teenager living in modern day America. In keeping with the character’s original backstory, Dick comes from a family of acrobats; along with his parents, the Flying Graysons spend their summers traveling and performing with Haly’s Circus. Unlike the original incarnation, his parents are not mowed down by the mafia.

Rather, Dick is feeling somewhat alienated: bored by days that seem to blend into one another; unchallenged by the Flying Graysons’ predictable routine; and longing for a “normal” childhood. As if that’s not enough, the very fate of the circus rests on the Graysons’ (admittedly well-toned) shoulders: the circus is hemorrhaging customers, most notably to The Lost Carnival, a decadent affair that somewhat mysteriously threw down its stakes right across the way from Haly’s, seemingly overnight.

As tensions rise between the competing groups of carnies, Dick finds himself caught in the middle, torn between his family and the enthralling Luciana. Unlike his BFF Willow’s magic, Luciana’s powers seem to be the real (read: supernatural) deal: when her uncle calls forth menacing, Swamp Thing-like creatures, it’s up to Luciana to prevent them from escaping. The deeper Dick and Willow dive into the world of The Lost Carnival, the more bizarre things get. Can teenage love really conquer all? (Spoiler alert: No. No, it can’t.)

This is a really fun and surprisingly sweet story that’s an intoxicating blend of Erin Morgenstern’s THE NIGHT CIRCUS, ROMEO AND JULIET, and the DC ‘verse, with a YA spin. Even though the plot proved somewhat predictable, it’s still a fun ride. Dick is interesting enough, but it’s the supporting characters that really captured my imagination: Luciana, Willow, Quinn, and the employees at The Lost Carnival. And the carnival itself, naturally, which is all kind of magical and mystifying.

I devoured an ARC, so I’m not entirely sure what the finished art will look like – but what I saw was lovely indeed. The colors mostly alternate between a moody blue and glitzy gold-ish, occasionally coming together for that extra pop. Dick is a cutie, and the rep here is great. (You’ve got to love that there are not one, but two families of POC magicians.)

I'm always a fan of a Dick Grayson story and while I enjoyed this one it left me wanting more. The coloring for the art was not my favorite. I realize it was a stylistic choice for the storytelling but it ended up taking away from what was happening. The plot was entertaining yet a little predictable but I enjoyed it all the same.

Robin has always been a favorite superhero character of mine, so I was interested in reading something about Dick's time before he became Batman's sidekick. The art style of this comic was different than I expected, but I like how the color palette changes depending on whether Dick was with his own circus or the carnival. It made a nice contrast to the two different "worlds" of entertainment.

The story line was fairly typical for a young adult themed tale. There's love and loss, rash decisions and themes of friendship and family. Nothing about it was too surprising, but it was fun. The "magic" carnival vibe is something I will never tire of, so I'm glad it was the focus of the story. I also like the subtle nod to Dick's future with Batman.

I'd recommend this to the target YA audience and anybody who is a huge fan of Dick Grayson's Robin.

A unique story of a pre-Batman, pre-Robin Dick Grayson. This graphic novel is an exciting ride into his life before the tragic events that will thrust him into the world of Batman. Few have gone I to this story to define Grayson's life as Michael Moreci. This is one of those graphic novels that bring a fresh and dramatic look to fans looking for something different.

*Thank you, DC Comics, for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel is a rich and beautiful story filled with mystery, magic, and young love. I instantly felt like I was right in the middle of the tension between Haly's circus and The Lost Carnival. I was engaged the whole time in the story, and I didn't want to put it down. (+1)

The world-building and illustrations are stunning. I loved learning about both the circus and the Lost Carnival. Both locations seem like two different worlds and explored on a deeper level throughout the book. (+1)

The writing swept me off my couch and into the world if Dick Grayson. The language is perfect for middle grade and young adult readers, but older adults can still enjoy it as well. (+1)

The organization is perfect, and I was never confused. Several chapters break up the story perfectly, and the pacing is excellent. It's never too fast or too slow. (+1)

I fell in love with Dick right from the start. I didn't know much about Dick Grayson before I started reading, but it didn't matter to understand the novel fully. I definitely missed out on a deeper appreciation of the character, but now I'm inspired to check out the rest of his story. The other characters are also well developed, and I connected with all of them. (+1)

One of my favorite parts is the change in color tone as a clear indication of the overall feeling of Haly's circus and the Lost Carnival. The contrasting blues of Haly's and golds of the Lost Carnival increase the sense of mystery and intrigue.

I didn't have a least favorite part.

I highly recommend this book if you are a Dick Grayson fan, or if you don't know him at all. I also think fans of Stephanie Garber's trilogy, Caraval, will enjoy this as well.

Just the kind of pre-Batman Dick Grayson story I've always wanted! The art was beautiful and the story was fun!

Dick Grayson like you've never seen him before. This is his story BEFORE he meets the dark knight. We get to see him with his family, and get to see him be a regular teenager and why they leads him to gravitate to Bruce Wayne. I loved this look inside this characters and his life. Seeing his friendships and a budding romance was especially interesting. It makes what we know is coming all the more bittersweet.

I love DC's YA graphic novel line, and I'm pleased to report this one's no exception. It's fun reading about Dick in his pre-Batman days, though the timeline's a little hard for me to grok as a major comics fan. Dick's a teenager and he has living parents? WEIRD. But it's a story that doesn't take place in the real world, and it's enough fun that I'm hardly about to complain much. A great read for superhero fans and those new to the world of comics alike.

This book was visually stunning. I love the coloring of the various settings and how it provided a plot cue that came into play later in the story. This book captured the whimsical and magical nature of a carnival and made me want to never leave. I am more of a casual DC reader, so I don't know all of the superhero lore; thankfully, no background knowledge is needed to read and enjoy The Lost Carnival. The story followed Dick Grayson who is an acrobat/trapeze artist in a traveling circus. The graphic novel follows his journey in finding himself beyond the circus and the true meaning of love and family and to enjoy the time that you have.